ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is going to increase the levy on petroleum products, the country’s finance chief told the local media on Saturday, days after the government jacked up oil prices to a record high.
The government on Thursday increased the price of petrol by Rs8.03 to Rs145.82, of high-speed diesel by Rs8.14 to Rs142.62 per liter, of kerosene oil by Rs6.27 to Rs116.53 and of light diesel oil by Rs5.72 to Rs114.07 per liter.
The planned increase in the petroleum development levy would come on the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the prime minister’s adviser on finance Shaukat Tarin told the local broadcaster Geo News.
“The International Monetary Fund has also asked to increase the petroleum development levy but it will depend on the global prices of petroleum products,” he said.
“We have to increase levy by some percentage ... when and how we will increase, it all depends on the oil prices. If there is dip in oil prices, it will be easier for us to increase levy.”
The planned increase is likely to result in further hikes of petroleum prices, for which Prime Minister Imran Khan is already facing criticism.
On Friday, Khan defended his government’s decision to increase petroleum prices saying the rates in Pakistan were still the lowest in the oil importing world.
“India is selling one liter of petrol for Rs250 while Bangladesh is doing that for Rs200,” he said during a public rally in Attock. “Pakistan is selling it for Rs146. If we count out the oil producing nations, Pakistan is offering diesel and petrol at the cheapest rates in all the oil importing countries.”
Days after oil price hike, Pakistan to increase petroleum levy — finance chief
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Days after oil price hike, Pakistan to increase petroleum levy — finance chief
- Last week, the government jacked up petroleum prices by up to Rs8.14 per liter of high-speed diesel
- Shaukat Tarin says the planned increase in the petroleum development recommended by IMF
Pakistan dispatches special plane carrying 100 tons of tents for Gaza
- Pakistan dispatches special plane from Lahore for Egypt’s Al-Arish city for onward delivery to Gaza
- Pakistan has sent 28 relief consignments for Gaza comprising 2,727 tons of relief items in total since 2023
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) dispatched a special plane carrying 100 tons of tents for the people of Gaza on Monday, the authority said, vowing to continue addressing Palestinians’ humanitarian needs.
This was the 28th relief consignment from Pakistan for the people of Palestine, the NDMA said, adding that it was sent with the support of Pakistani charity Alkhidmat Foundation.
The relief goods, which comprised 100 tons of tents, were dispatched via a special flight from the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore to Egypt’s Al Arish city for onward delivery to Gaza.
“With the dispatch of this latest consignment, the total volume of humanitarian assistance sent to Palestine through 28 consignments has reached 2,727 tons,” the NDMA said.
The relief goods were sent in a ceremony attended by Punjab Housing Minister Mian Bilal Yasin, senior officials of the NDMA, Pakistan’s foreign ministry and representatives of government departments as well as Alkhidmat Foundation.
“Government of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan stand firmly with the people of Palestine in this difficult time and will continue to make every possible effort to support them and address their humanitarian needs,” the NDMA’s press release concluded.
The development takes place after Israel allowed the limited reopening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt on Feb. 2. The crossing serves as the only gateway for the people of Gaza to the outside world that does not pass through Israel.
It reopened last week for the movement of people nearly two years after Israeli forces seized control of the crossing during the war with Hamas.
The reopening of Rafah has long been demanded by the United Nations and aid organizations, forming a key element of US President Donald Trump’s truce plan for Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain dire.
Pakistan has consistently criticized Israel for its war on Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 70,000 Palestinians, among them women and children, since Oct. 7, 2023.
Islamabad is also a member of Trump’s newly constituted Board of Peace global body, which seeks to resolve the Gaza conflict and other disputes around the world.
